The Statue of Liberty, one of New York’s most popular tourist attractions, has captivated travelers from every corner of the world for over one hundred years. One of the most recognizable and well-known women in the world, the Statue of Liberty has a resume that would make any movie star jealous! Lady Liberty is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy and has appeared in such movies as Planet of the Apes, The Day After Tomorrow, and Independence Day, to name a few. Pencil in an inexpensive, fun-filled date with the Lady of Liberty on your next New York City vacation and get up-close and personal with one of America’s most famous landmarks. The Statue of Liberty might just be one of your favorite attractions while you're in New York City.

Who’s That Lady? - The Statue of Liberty History and Facts

The Statue of Liberty is almost as American as apple pie, but the iconic NY monument was actually given to the United States as a gift from France in honor of the Centennial of American Independence. The Lady of Liberty was shipped overseas to New York in 350 pieces and it took four months to put her together! The Statue of Liberty has towered above the New York Harbor since 1886 and was designated as an American National Monument in 1924. Lady Liberty truly is statuesque - she weighs 450,000 pounds and stands 151 feet tall. From the tips of her crown to the broken shackles at her feet, the Statue of Liberty is an unforgettable sight to behold.

Things to Do on Liberty Island

Liberty Island offers numerous activities suited for every traveler’s needs. Admission to the Statue of Liberty monument is free with the purchase of an affordable ferry ticket. Click here for more information about ferry routes to the Statue of Liberty.

How to Get to Statue of Liberty

Looking for directions to the Statue of Liberty? Well, you've found them! Ferry rides from Battery Park in NYC or Liberty State Park in Jersey City take 15-20 minutes and offer gorgeousviews of New York City and the Statue of Liberty. Make sure to leave extra time for security and ferry lines, as Statue of Liberty tours are very popular.

There are many New York Passes that include admission to the Statue of liberty and a ride over on the Ellis Island Ferry! The Pass to NYC is a great way to get you up close and personal with Lady Liberty for a discounted price! This pass will save you 20% on several NYC attractions in addition to the Statue of Libery and Ellis Island Ferry, like the Empire State Building, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History and Museum of Modern Art!

Take the Stairs

The Statue of Liberty is a must see when visiting New York

The Statue of Liberty recently underwent $30 million in renovations to make the monument more accessible. If you’re in the mood to break a sweat, what used to be only 354 stairs from base to crown is now 393 stairs. Yes, that's almost 40 extra stairs to climb, but they are now much safer and less steep. In addition to this renovation, the Statue of Liberty is now wheelchair accessible up to the observation deck!

Your hard work will be rewarded with stunning views of New York City seen from the crown of the Statue of Liberty! Only 240 people are permitted to ascend the staircase a day so reservations are a must, and they’re definitely worth it. Not only will you fill your camera with amazing photos of NYC taken from high inside the statue, you can brag to all of your friends that you climbed to the top of the Statue of Liberty! Nearly 3.5 million people visit the Statue of Liberty every year!

*Terms & Conditions: Offers, promotions and rates subject to change and may vary based upon date, length of stay and other factors. Some offers do not include taxes and fees. All offers based on availability and are subject to change without notice.

Tour the Museum

If heights and climbing stairs aren’t your idea of a dream NYC vacation, no need to worry. Get a taste of history at the Statue of Liberty Museum where you can check out photographs, historical objects, videos, and even see a full-scale replica of Lady Liberty’s foot and face!

Explore Liberty Island

Another great way to learn more about the history of the Statue of Liberty is on an informative tour led by National Park Service Rangers or on a self-guided audio tour available in English, Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish. If you’re more of a do-it-yourself traveler, you can stroll across the lush 12-acre island and enjoy a picnic lunch in the grass on a warm New York summer day. Food is available for sale on Liberty Island for those sightseers who would prefer to cool off with an ice cream cone or chow down on a juicy hot dog from one of the island’s vendors.

Statue of Liberty Quote

Many people often wonder what the quote reads on the Statue of Liberty. The quote - actually a sonnet - is best known for the line "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." The Statue of Liberty quote meaning is far from cryptic: it's a welcome to those weary travelers who have journeyed thousands of miles to make a home in the Land of the Free.

So who is the Statue of Liberty quote author? It's none other than Emma Lazarus. Lazarus wrote the sonnet "New Colossus" for a fundraiser auction to raise money for the Statue of Liberty's pedestal. While the fundraiser was a success, Lazarus was soon forgotten, and it wasn't until a close friend campaigned to have Lazarus's poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty that the poet once again found recognition. The Statue of Liberty quote inscription is now stored in the Statue of Liberty Museum.

Even More Options

The Statue of Liberty can be seen without setting foot on Liberty Island

You can even catch a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty without setting foot on Liberty Island. The Staten Island Ferry is free and offers unbeatable views of the New York Harbor and Lady Liberty, while lower Manhattan’s Battery Park and the Brooklyn Promenade are great places to view the Statue of Liberty from a distance. Make yours a romantic New York City vacation by cuddling your sweetie on a park bench while taking in the beauty of the Statue of Liberty across the water.

Know Before You Go

Due to security measures and frequent renovations, the Statue of Liberty is closed to the public at certain times. Make sure to check and see if the monument will be open during your next NYC vacation. If it’s closed, there’s no need to worry - click here for other amazing activities to enjoy on your fun-filled New York getaway!